The process of getting an opera on to the stage is a lengthy one - operas generally take 2–5 years to gestate and write and we have a large number of projects under commission and in development at any one time.

The Royal Opera presents many new operas each year and so of course we are also very active in the development of that work through its many stages, the first of which is the research and development (or 'R&D') stage.

R&D can take many different forms – each project is different as each writing team has their own way of working; some artists just need a secluded bunker to write while other composers are keen for a long workshop process. Sometimes it's focused on learning about particular technology or instruments, sometimes it's about addressing specific dramaturgical questions or engaging with specific audiences. It's clear, though, that there is no formula – every opera is made differently. We try to shape the development process around the artists rather than proscribe how opera should be written. Case in point are some of the operas currently in development.

Workshops with young people recently helped director Katie Mitchell and composer Mark-Anthony Turnage understand how young people respond and listen to opera and music in advance of a new opera for young audiences; while Luke Bedford, David Harrower and Bijan Sheibani spent time together with a group of actors at the the Royal Opera House reading the latest draft of David’s libretto for their new opera, Through His Teeth, which comes to the Linbury in April 2014.

Technology is increasingly used, for example in some invaluable studio sessions between video artist Tal Rosner and composer Chris Mayo, in which a lot of computers and projectors were used in the first exploratory stages of an opera closely integrating music and video technologies.

We also work closely with partners - Opera North's Noye’s Fludde offered composer David Bruce a full orchestral workshop earlier in the year for his opera The Firework-Maker’s Daughter, which played in the Linbury Studio Theatre April 2013, and together with both Aldeburgh Music and Opera North we are developing five operas that will have their premieres over the next three years.

Of course such work is closed to the public, as it's important we create a safe and private space for exploration and learning – but sometimes we find ways to show work-in-progress to an audience. It was a joy to see excerpts from Julian Joseph’s new opera presented to a packed Linbury audience as part of Deloitte Ignite recently and increasingly we're seizing on opportunities for composers to talk about and share reflections on process. Last Season, Sound and Music lead a fantastic event for composers and writers here and and we are looking forward to other events like this in the future.

There are many ways of supporting the development of new work at ROH and seeing inside the journey of an opera from the first seed of an idea to the first performance. Email to find out more.

We're grateful to the PRS Foundation for supporting our new work development activity.

Dominic Peckham, chorus member of The Royal Opera, conductor, ambassador of choral music and Artistic Director of youth singing group RM19 has been busy. Dominic leads RM19, a singing group for young people aged 11-25 in Thurrock, where the boundaries are banished when it comes to styles of singing. Genres performed range from classical to hip-hop and Dominic ensures the participants have their say when composing and creating material.

With his conducting hat on and baton in hand, Dominic will lead three choral workshops on 'Va, pensiero' in the ROH's Clore Studio this weekend as part of the Deloitte Ignite Festival of Voices. The workshops are for seasoned singers and first timers, who will be introduced to the joys of community singing. The workshops operate on a first-come first-served basis.

One of the highlights of my role at the ROH is receiving invitations to see new operas each summer. But these aren’t the latest offerings from Mark-Anthony Turnage or Harrison Birtwistle, much as I admire their work. No, these are invitations to visit schools across the country, to see performances of new operas that have been devised and staged by children and young people as part of the Write an Opera project.

Sometimes, when I can’t attend a show, an envelope full of pages of libretto, sketches for set designs, photos of the rehearsal process, or a DVD of the new opera lands on my desk. I watch each and every one with great enjoyment. From this season, however, there’s one stand-out performance.

Ophelias Hemmelighet (Ophelia’s Secret) was devised and staged in Lier, a small village 35km southwest of Oslo, Norway. Over the years, a number of Norwegian teachers have attended Write an Opera and gone on to stage new operas in their schools. But this was a Norwegian opera premiere with a difference as Ophelias Hemmelighet was devised, staged and performed by staff and patients from Bergfløtt Behandlingssenter, a treatment centre for young people with schizophrenia or other psychotic conditions who need residential care.

The DVD of the opera caused a real stir in the Learning and Participation office. Featuring a forest and sword, Ophelias Hemmelighet reminded us of Parsifal – a new production of which will be staged at the Royal Opera House during the 2013/14 Season. Not so reminiscent of Parsifal are the characters of Marvin the farmer, who sets out on a quest to break the curse that afflicts his one true love, and Vladimir, a vampire who works as a night security guard for a perfume company. The music by turn is haunting and infectiously upbeat and the set and costumes are both beautiful and clever. The band of musicians – comprising guitar, ukulele, piano, synths, drums and bass – sounds fantastic and the words are both funny and poignant.

The project was masterminded and led by social worker Halvor Tjomsland, who also played Marvin the farmer in the resulting opera. Halvor says: ‘It’s never been more fun to work, and never more rewarding. I continue to be amazed by the abundance of creativity in the patients, and by the positive effect this project has had on their everyday life’

Congratulations to all at Bergfløtt Treatment Centre. We can’t wait to hear about your next operatic adventure!

Write an Opera is generously supported by Mrs Lily Safra, The Material World Charitable Foundation, Teale Foundation and the Banham Charitable Foundation.

A mix of concerts and workshops designed to engage young people and communities will take place throughout June and July, including a concert with L'Orchestre Symphonique de Bretagne and performances with French dance company Eco.

'It is extremely exciting and interesting to be working with such a diverse and creative group of partners from across the East of England and from France,' said Matt Lane, Head of Royal Opera House Thurrock and Thames Gateway. 'Already, young people and communities are being engaged and inspired by this programme and I have no doubt that each final project culmination will be hugely inspiring.'

Singers and choral groups from across the area will come together for two days of workshops and performances at the London Cruise Terminal as part of the FUSED Thurrock Choral Festival. On Saturday, the workshops range from an Introduction to Gospel Singing, to classes on sight-singing and vocal warm ups, while Sunday focuses on young singers, including workshops on beatbox and rap.

Young people from Thurrock and Southend join forces with French dance company Eco and choreographer Emilio Calcagno to present an evening of contemporary ballet. Eco will perform a special adaptation of their recent work Peau d'Ane (Donkey Skin) and young people from the Gateway Academy and Southend YMCA will perform their own pieces in response to Donkey Skin.

Royal Opera House Insights return once again to The Thameside Theatre for an informative introduction to the story of Tosca. Sing some of the musical highlights of Puccini’s masterpiece with the help of professional singers and a member of The Royal Opera Music Staff. No previous singing experience necessary!

The High House Production Park will become a centre for passion, intrigue and revenge during the live relay of Puccini’s Tosca as part of BP Big Screens. Refreshments will be available and there will be stalls to wander around. Bring a picnic, a blanket and enjoy a fantastic evening of opera absolutely free!

L'Orchestre Symphonique de Bretagne joins forces with composer and musician Chris Brubeck in a fantastic evening of jazz and classical music, presenting a scintillating programme ranging from Brubeck's own trombone concerto to Beethoven's 7th Symphony. The evening will include performances by young musicians from across Thurrock and RM19, the Royal Opera House Thurrock Youth Vocal Group.

Donkey Skin andJazz Meets The Classics – Beethoven to Brubeck are both produced in partnership with INTERREG IVC who provide funding for interregional cooperation across Europe.

Attendees will be able to take part in workshops including different sessions introducing choral singing, beat-boxing and singing in a gospel choir. Some workshops are available for both children and adults.

All of the workshops cost £3 and the concerts are £8 (concessions £6). Refreshments will be available to purchase throughout the day. On Saturday and Sunday evening, during the concerts, food stalls and a bar will be available.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn a different way to use your voice – or if you’re wondering whether or not joining a choir is right for you – come along to find out more. FUSED will be held in London Cruise Terminal, Ferry Road, Tilbury, RM18 7NG.

Children got to try out musical instruments in their local libraries, thanks to a project funded by Royal Opera House Bridge.

The project has seen Inspiring Music – Central Bedfordshire’s music service – and Central Bedfordshire Libraries coming together to offer a programme of music workshops across the county. The project was created to encourage more young people to use their libraries.

Of the collaboration, Chris Jones, Music Director of Inspiring Music says:

‘There is a perception that libraries are a place where you have to be quiet but - as the staff reassured us - libraries are actually full of life and music fits really well with the space.’

Young people got the chance to play with African drums, ukuleles and samba shakers and so far 15 sessions have taken place in five libraries across the area. To date 218 children and 119 adults have strummed and drummed with a number of these taking up instruments afterwards. The programme has meant that those who wouldn’t usually have access to music have been able to get involved.

‘There are a few people who might not be to keen on the noise but as I say to them: “Isn’t it brilliant to see kids being involved with the library”’ says Wendy Featherstone of Central Bedfordshire Libraries, now under the management of the Arts Council.

‘The music session leaders brilliant at engaging the children and adults - it was a real family affair. Everyone learnt a lot in a fun environment. I hope it’s the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between the library service and Inspiring Music.’

Since this programme, Royal Opera House Bridge, Central Bedfordshire Library Service and Inspiring Music have been working on developing a creative network for the area that will support more partnerships in the area.

This summer, the Royal Opera House’s Thurrock production park is giving everyone the chance to try something new and creative. You could be part of the team who will create a new artwork with a group of professionals. An art installation will be produced during a week of workshops, unveiled Orsett country show and then put on display at High House Production Park.

A number of non-residential courses are open to both adults and children and will run from 13-17 August. They will offer members of the public the opportunity to work with professional designers and artists to learn more about digital art, soundscapes and costume, set and prop design. The new artwork will come out of these sessions:

Audio: Creating the Soundscape 10.30am-1.00pm

Try your hand at creating soundscapes using extracts from opera and ballet music, as well as recorded sound, in a week-long technical workshop. The course costs £20 for the week for adults or £10 for students or under-16s and is open to all aged 12 and up.

Filmmaking: Creating the Visual World 2.30-5.00pm

Join us for a week-long course in creating short films from existing footage, using both archive and new material. The course costs £20 for the week for adults or £10 for students or under-16s and is open to all aged 12 and up.

Theatrical design: Creating the visual world 10.30am-1pm and 2.30-5.00pm

Perfect for budding designers, these practical workshops with different focuses will allow participants to work with professionals to create all the elements needed for an artistic installation or theatrical production. The course costs £10 per day for Adults or £5 for under-16s. Participants can also book five workshops for £40 or £20 for students and under-16s. This course is open to those aged 7 and up.

Unfortunately we’re not able to accommodate unaccompanied under-14s for any course.

I love the Royal Opera House: the house itself, the buildings and bustling Covent Garden location. In one respect, however, the Royal Opera House is unfortunately lacking - it does not look out over a serene natural beauty spot.

The opposite is true of the Oslo Opera House, home to Den Norske Opera og Ballett. Opened in 2008, the venue isn’t so much by the Oslofjord as emerging from it; sweeping elegantly right out of the water. Imagine my delight, then, when our colleagues from the company's Education Department contacted us about our Write an Opera programme, with an invitation to collaborate on a project at their stunning opera house. This follows our visit closer to home to Gainsborough Primary School to see the result of their projects.

Write an Opera is, in a nutshell, a programme that shows teachers on how to create an opera with their students. It begins with a week-long residential course for teachers each summer, equipping participants with the skills, knowledge and resources they need to devise and stage an opera, from scratch with a group of students. Over the years, a number of Norwegian teachers have attended the course and enthusiastically taken the project back to schools across Norway.

This summer, a school in Eide, Norway presented its 10th original opera devised and staged by students. In celebration of the anniversary, Den Norske Opera og Ballett invited the school to perform the premiere of its opus no. 10 at the Oslo Opera House itself. Around this momentous event, they curated a weekend of performances, workshops and seminars exploring new opera and the Write an Opera approach. The Royal Opera House’s main role was to deliver a day and a half of practical workshops for teachers, giving participants a flavour of the level 1 Write an Opera course. This presented considerable challenges, as Write an Opera level 1 is usually delivered over the course of a week, comprising no fewer than 66 hours of workshops. We had to find a way to distill this into under 10 hours. To help us on this mission, we drew on the collective expertise of a wonderful team of artists: Rhiannon Newman-Brown (designer), Omar Shahryar (director) and Richard Taylor (composer).

And so it was that Rhiannon, Omar, Richard and I had an inspiring time in Oslo last weekend, undertaking an invigorating dash through some of the principles and activities at the heart of Write an Opera. On Saturday morning, we met the group of 25 Norwegian teachers and arts professionals for the very first time. By noon on Sunday, they had created a mini opera telling the story of a memory stick that holds the secret to eternal happiness! I salute them all for their willingness, enthusiasm and talent.

Congratulations to Eide School for their 10th Write an Opera anniversary and to our colleagues at Den Norske Opera og Ballett for producing such a stimulating weekend of activities exploring Write an Opera. We will continue our support for young people’s creativity and learning through Write an Opera, in England, Norway and beyond, over the coming months and years.

Each session focused on a different creative skill – from design and dance to composition and spoken word. The families produced shadow puppets and learned how to animate them, composed songs and instrumental music, choreographed their own dances and turned their hand to creative writing.

At the end of the week curator and composer Rachel Leach and animator John Harmer took the families’ work and edited it together to create a short film:

If you missed this event, there are plenty of other opportunities to get involved in goings on at the Royal Opera House, such as the Community Chorus. Information on other projects is available on our Learning section.